<p>Unweighted GPA: 3.68/4
Weighted GPA: 4.32
In the top 12% of my class. (out of a public school of a little less than 800 students)
Have been taking ALL honors classes and AP classes (4 APs senior year).
Involved in 4 extracurriculars: (as of end of senior year)
-synchronized swimming 4 years
-best buddies 2 years
-Model UN 3 years
-club for social change 2 years
Got 1 smallish award.
Volunteered at the library this summer.
ACT: 33
SAT comp: 2090 (but I am retaking it in the fall, shooting for a 2200-2300)
verbal: 670
math: 740
writing: 680
SAT subject: math-770 lit-710</p>
<p>APs (so far, up to junior year): APUSH-4, Eng lit-5, gov't-5, psych-5</p>
<p>Asian female, speak Russian, 1st gen immigrant</p>
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Asian female, speak Russian, 1st gen immigrant. Should I even bother applying?
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<p>Yes. Swarthmore's strong commitment to diversity probably makes it worth applying for you.</p>
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In the top 12% of my class. (out of a public school of a little less than 800 students)
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<p>But, realistically, outside the top 10% at a public high school is going to make it an uphill climb unless your school is a national-caliber public magnet like a Thomas Jefferson in Virginia or Stuyvesent in New York.</p>
<p>I'm sorry, but I wouldn't bother. Most kids on a retaking of the SAT really don't raise their scores significantly and your numbers are too low. You should try a tier lower, like Haverford (although they would probably be a stretch also) or Bryn Mawr.</p>
<p>I don't know... I was also below the top 10% in a public high school. I don't think her SAT scores are too low. Her GPA might hurt though. If you really want to go, why not apply?</p>
<p>My SAT score was very close to yours, plus top 15%, and I still got in (though I was ED, for which the chances are very different). There's absolutely no reason to not apply to a school you love just because you think the chances aren't for you. They really aren't for anyone at this point, since admissions is so crazy. As long as you can shine through in your apps and really do care, Swat is certainly in your range. :]</p>
<p>Look, I know I get grief on this board because I'm not great at soft peddling things, but the SAT scores are too low. I believe that they are within the range for diversity students but I am not certain how Swat views asians in the diversity mix. I have friends here who are considered diversity students and they still have scores in excess of 2150. With the way competition to get into schools are these days, I'm pretty certain this one is a goner if the poster is not considered in the diversity mix. That said, if you really want in (did i mention that this place is incredibly tough) by all means, kill a week working on your app and give it a shot.</p>
<p>The SAT and ACT scores are not "too low". I don't think this applicant has particularly good chances of admission, based on the information provided here, but it's not because of the standardized test scores.</p>
<p>As for being in "the diversity mix", a first generation immigrant will certainly be considered in that context. For example, verbal SAT scores for a first generation immigrant from a non-English speaking country will be evaulated differently than a descendent of Henry Higgins from Scarsdale.</p>
<p>I think those of you who are telling her not to apply because of her SAT scores are being a little harsh. </p>
<p>Redlight, I got in with not the highest SAT scores, but then again I was ranked 6th in my class. If anything, honestly, your GPA may get in the way, but even then I would definately advise you NOT to cross Swarthmore off your list. If you really think that this may be the school for you, keep your head up. The application process can be very random. People with extremely high SAT scores can get the boot if the school finds someone with something they believe is special or unique.</p>
<p>So my advice to you is to beef up your extracurricular activities with things you like and pursue leadership positions or responsibilities in the ones you are already involved in. Retake your SATs if you wish, but don't take it more than three times. The scores won't vary greatly. Study hard in your honors classes and try to boost up your GPA and break the top 10% if possible. </p>
<p>What many people don't understand is that some school are simply more rigourous than others. It seems to me that you're very intelligent from your AP scores and SAT scores. (I'm not a strong standardized tester). </p>
<p>Also, and very importantly, take time on your application. The essay is big. This is the only real part that lets the admissions committee catch a glimpse of who you truly are, so take your time on this. </p>
<p>Good luck and remember if you don't get in, its not the end of the world. I got rejected and waitlisted to places I would have LOVED to go to, but in the end I believe things happen for a reason. It may be a very romanticized way of looking at things but hey you can't really just sit and sulk about things. </p>
<p>I very much considered Swarthmore for a while, but ended up choosing Duke, so hey your mind changes. Scope out your options and remember to enjoy your senior year! :] </p>
<p>the totality of the sat scores and rank paint a portrait of a very mediocre swat candidate. assuming that id's definition of 1st gen imm is incorrect and that the poster was actually born in the usa as opposed to immigrating here from another country, then the poster has been exposed to the english language her whole life and the low comprehension and writing scores just won't make this cut. her only possible chance is if she is classified as a diversity student and even my friends who atended discovery weekend and subsequently gained admittance still had higher scores. what i'm really saying is that her time could be better spent applying to a more realistic place. btw, i know a lot of people who immigrated here who had real communication problems and 800'd the math section while getting mid 400's in the other two. that is a clear case of having something on the ball, but not being able overcome the language barrier (yet.)</p>